Mahanipata Jataka

The Mahanipata Jataka (mahānipāta jātaka), sometimes translated as the Ten Great Birth Stories of the Buddha, are a set of stories from the jataka tales describing the ten final lives of the Bodisattva who would finally be born as Siddharta Gautama and eventually became Gautama Buddha. These jataka tales revolve around Benares, the current Varanasi in India. The final ten are the best known of the total 547 jataka tales. In Thailand, they are known as ทศชาติชาดก (dasajāti jātaka, rtgs: thotsachat chadok) or the tales of the 10 rebirths. These render the 10 virtues of mankind, then the enlightenment would reveal. These respective virtues are: renunciation, vigour, benevolence, absolute determination, insight, morality, patience, equanimity, reality and generosity.
The 10 jataka tales depicted in murals in temples in Thailand. The photos in this article are from the murals of the sala (pavilion) of temple bridge three Thai: วัดสะพานสาม, wat saphan saam in Phitsanulok, Thailand.

Difference in order of last 10 jataka

Prince Temiya (the crippled mute prince) - Act of renunciation

Temiya lifts the chariot up high.

Thai: พระเตมีย์, phra Temiya - บำเพ็ญเนกขัมม bamphey nekkhamma.
The infant bodhisattva Temiya didn't wanted to be the next king of Benares, so he pretended to be crippled mute. When he was 16 years of age king Kasiraya was advised not an apparent idiot be named heir to the throne. The soothsayers spoke: "It will be best to have some unlucky horses yoked to an unlucky chariot and placing him therein, to convey him to the charnel ground and bury him there." On that final day Sunanda, the charioteer began to dig a hole. The Bodhisattva thought, this is my time for an effort to escape. He lifted the chariot up high while speaking: "Behold these arms and legs of mine, and hear my voice and what I say; if in this wood you bury me, you will incur great guilt today." The charitoor let him free. So he went straight to the forest to live as an ascetic.

Prince Mahajanaka (the lost prince) - Act of vigour

Mahajanaka is rescued by the goddess.

Thai: พระมหาชนก, phra Mahajanaka - บำเพ็ญวิริย bamphey virya.
Prince Mahajanaka embarked on board a ship bound for Suvarnabhumi, the golden land in the East, with purpose of regaining the kingdom of Videha of his deceased father. The ship having gone too violently in its course it could not hold out. The planks gave way, the water rose higher and higher, the ship began to sink in the middle of the ocean. Mahajanaka knowing that the vessal was doomed, he didn't panic. He prepared himself for the ordeal inter alia by having eaten his belly full. For seven days Mahajanaka floated in the ocean before goddess Manimekhala observed him in the water. She recognized Mahajanaka and carried him. Mahajanaka, thrilled by heavenly contact, fell into a sleep.

Prince Suvanna Sama (the devoted prince) - Act of benevolence

Sama takes care of his blind parents.

Thai: พระสุวรรณสาม, phra Suvanna Sama - บำเพ็ญเมตตา bamphey metta.
Sama's parents lost sight in the eyes when he was 16 years old. From that time onward their son was their only help. He took care of his parents. Every day he went to the river Migasammata to gather fruit and took water in a pot. At that time king Piliyakkha of Benares in his great desire for venison, came also to the river and at last reached the spot where Sama stood. While seeing Sama taming the wild animals, the king was in dubio, was the creature a god or a naga? To found out he decided to wound and disable him, and then asked it. The king shot a poisoned arrow and wounded Sama, who fell down to the ground. Sama spoke: "I have no enmity against someone. Who has wounded me?" The king went to Sama and asked his name. Sama then told the story of fostering his blind parents. The king thought to himself, "I have done evil to such a holy being, how can I comfort him." So he decided to bring the blind parents to their son. In the mean time goddess Bahusodari decided to help Sama and his parents. At the end Sama recovered from his wound and both parents sight was restored.

Prince Nimi (the noble king) - Act of absolute determination

Nimi towards the heaven.

Thai: พระเนมิราช, phra Nimi racha - บำเพ็ญอธิษฐาน bamphey adhitthana.
Nimi as king of Videha yearned to know the answer: which is more fruitful, the holy life or almsgiving? God Sakka said: "Although holy living is more fruitful by far than almsgiving, yet both these are important." The deities of heaven longed for to see king Nimi. God sakka sent Matali, the charioteer to bring Nimi to Sakka's heaven. On his way king Nimi chose first to see the hell and later the heaven. When Nimi saw all such suffering in the hell, he was terrified. Later they arrived at Sudhamma hall, the assembly hall of the 33 gods in heaven. Nimi discoursed to the gods for seven days, but refused to live in this heaven forever. Thereafter he returned to the world of men. He told his nationals about the happiness of the gods, exhorted them to give alms and do good, for so they should be born in that divine place.

Prince Mahosadha (the clever sage) - Act of insight

Mahosadha swings his sword high up.

Thai: พระมโหสถ, phra Mahosadha - บำเพ็ญปัญญา bamphey panna.
Mahosadha was the sage of king Vedeha of Mithila. King Culani of Kampilla, a rivalry kingdom had a sage called Kevatta. After a failed attempted battle to conquer the whole of India, Kevatta had a plan to kill king Vedeha. Herefore Culani's beautiful daughter, Pancala-candi should seduce king Vedeha. Despite Mahosadha's warning, king Vedeha began to plan his journey to Culani's kingdom. Four months in advance of the arrival of king Vedeha, Mahosadha started to built a palace one mile outside the capital Uttara-pancala. This palace had a secret tunnel, which gave entrance to the Ganges river and to Culani's palace. When king Vedeha arrived at his new palace, troops of king Culani surrounded this palace. As a reaction to this threat Mahosadha sent through the tunnel, king Vedeha to the Ganges river and troops to Culani's palace. These troops tricked Culani's family through the tunnel to the Ganges river. King Vedeha and Culani's family went by boat to the kingdom Mithila. Soon after Culani learned of the disappearance of king Vedeha and his family. When king Culani met Mahosadha, he realized that he couldn't hurt him, because his family was taken hostage. But when both men walked through the tunnel, at once Mahosadha took the sword, which he had hidden the day before. He swinged his sword high up and shouted: "Sire, whose are all the kingdoms of India?" King Culani replied: "Yours, wise sir! Spare me!" Mahosadha said: "Be not troubled, sire: queen, son and mother all come back, my return is the only condition." Then Mahosadha handed over his sword to the king. At Last the two men swore a sincere friendship.

Prince Bhuridatta (the Naga prince) - Act of morality

Bhuridatta is caught.

Thai: พระภูมิทัต, phra Phumithata - บำเพ็ญศีล bamphey sila.
Naga prince Bhuridatta had found an ant hill near the Yamuna river. Every night he folded his body in the top of this ant hill. Alambayana, a snake charmer captured the Naga prince with ease, because Bhuridatta had set for himself: "Let who will take my skin or muscles or bones or blood." Alambayana forced him into a basket and went to a certain village. He set the basket down in the middle of the marketplace and ordered the Naga prince to come out. The great snake danced and causing great wonder among the villagers. When they went from village to village they earned a lot of money. Then they reached Benares. The wife and mother of Bhuridatta had missed him so very much. They sent his brother Sudassana to search for him. When he arrived in Benares, the people were gathering to watch the snake show. When Bhuridatta put his head out of the basket he saw his brother in the crowd. He went to him, and placed his head on his brother's foot, he wept. At last Alambayana exclaimed three times: "I will set the snake prince free."

Prince Canda Kumara (the honorable prince) - Act of patience

Canda Kumara sacrifies himself.

Thai: พระจันทกุมาร, phra Canda Kumara - บำเพ็ญขันติ bamphey khanti.
Prince Canda Kumara served his father, king Ekaraja of Pupphavati as a viceroy. Khandahala, a Brahmin was the family priest. The king, he had a high opinion of his wisdom, made him a judge. But he used to take bribes and dispossessed the real owners and put the wrong owners in possession. The prince was the Brahmin's natural foe. One day the king saw the beautiful heaven in his dream. He asked Khandahala the way to this heaven. Khandahala answered: "It will cost you a lot. You must sacrifice; your sons, queens, merchant princes, bulls, steeds, four pieces of these species, with the proper ritual will give you entrance into this heaven." The king not sound of mind ordered to prepare for a massive sacrifice outside the city. Canda Kumara asked his father not to bring this sacrifice into effect. Not to saved himself, because he was willing to die. But for the sake of the innocent victims. The troops rounded up the doomed. When all the preparations were completed they brought Canda Kumara in the sacrificial pit. At that moment the queen Canda Suriya called upon the gods. God Sakka let the lightning destroy the royal parasols. Without these parasols there was indeed no longer a sacred ceremony. Hereupon the angry crowd attacked Khandahala and killed him. King Ekajara was sent into exile. Canda Kumara became the new king.

Brahma Narada (the Great Brahma) - Act of equanimity

Narada gives 500 pieces of gold to the king.

Thai: พระพรหมนารท, phra phrom Narada - บำเพ็ญอุเปกขา bamphey upekkha.
Angati was king of the kingdom Videha. On the eve of the full moon festival king Angati went to the deer park to meet Guna Kassapa, a naked ascetic. He asked the rules of good behaviour with respect to parents, teachers, wives, children, the elderly, the Brahmins, the army and his people. Guna replied: "There is no fruit, good or evil, in following the rules of right conduct; there is no other world. All beings are predestined, what then is the use of giving alms." King Angati convinced of the truth of these words of Guna, decided no effort anymore to do good. Narada, who was the Great Brahma of that time, looked down to the earth. He descended to the earth and spoke: "I'm Brahma and I'll tell you that you condemn yourself to hell." Angati replied: "If there is another world for the dead, then give me here five hundred pieces of gold, and I'll give you a thousand pieces of gold in the next world." Narada answered: "Here when a man is a lover of sin, wise men don't entrust a loan to him: there is no return from such a debtor." Narada told about the hell with its endless torments. Angati was trembling with fear. He looked for the Bodhisatta for help and asked him how he could regain his senses. Narada then told him, that while he was king and in good health, he should providing for the poor, the hungry, the aged and the Brahmins. King Angati begged for forgiveness. Narada sped back to the brahma world.

Vidhura Panditta (the eloquent sage) - Act of reality

Punnaka whirles Vidhura round.

Thai: พระวิหูรบัณฑิต, phra Vidhura Pandita - บำเพ็ญทาน bamphey sacca.
King Dhananjaya lived in the city Indapatta of the kingdom Kuru. Vidhura Panditta (the Bodhisatta) who was his sage, had a great eloquence in discoursing on the law. Naga queen Vimala longed to hear him speaking. She pretended to be ill and only one thing could cure her: the desire of Vidhura's heart or I shall die. Irandati, the beautiful daughter of king Varuna, was sent out to seek a husband, who could bring Vidhura's heart to her. Punnaka, a yak (or demon) heard her love call and decided to marry her. King Varuna said: "If you bring that sage here then Irandati will be your lawful wife." Punnaka went to Indapatta to meet king Dhananjaya to play a game of dice. Having manipulated 3 rounds dicing, Punnaka asked for payment: the sage Vidhura. Vihura agreed to give him away. Punnaka seized Vidhura with a roar and whirled him round his head. Vidhura undismayed: "What is your reason for killing me." When Punnaka told him why, the Bodhisatta perceived that misconception has brought all this calamity. Vimala has no need of Vidhura's heart, but she must have felt a great longing to hear my words. The Bodhisatta asked to be brought to the Naga kingdom to clear this misunderstanding.

Prince Vessantara (the charitable prince) - Act of generosity

Vessantara gives alms.

Thai: พระเวสสันดร, phra Wetsandon - บำเพ็ญ bamphey dana.
Prince Vessantara lived in the capitol city Jetuttara of the kingdom Sivi and was devoted to almsgiving, but would never be satisfied with giving. He gave Paccaya, the royal white elephant to the neighboring kingdom of Kalinga, effected by drought. The people were so angry about it, that king Sanjaya had to send away his son. Before prince Vessantara with his wife and two children went into exile, he gave away all his possessions. On the road with horse and buggy travelling he gave away the horse and buggy to a Brahmin. So the four went through the jungle on foot to mount Vamka. Jujaka (Thai: Chuchok) a poor old Brahmin lived in the village Dunnivittha with Ammittada, a beautiful young woman. Jujaka, prompted by his wife, wanted to look for the whereabouts of Vessantara. After Jujaka had asked for Kanha and Jali, the children of Vessantara, they hid in a pond. Vessantara asked the children to come out of the pond and go with Jujaka. God Sakka changed shape to prevented Vessantara also gave away his wife. While Jujaka was asleep, a god and a goddess, which were changed in the father and mother, took care of the two children. After king Sanjaya had bought back his two grandchildren, they went with queen Phusati to mount Vamka. Prince Vessantara returned with his whole family from mount Vamka. Back in the city Jetutthara they were warmly welcomed.

References

• (en) - Jataka - volume VI, 305 pages, translated by E.B. Cowell and W.H.D. Rouse, The Cambridge University Press, 1907. (This text is in the public domain in the US, because it was published prior to 1923)
• (th) The last 10 jataкееп иka before the Buddha, ISBN 978-616-18-0913-3
• Photos of the murals with accompanying texts are of the sala (pavilion) of temple "bridge three" (Thai: วัดสะพานสาม wat saphan saam), Phitsanulok, Thailand, 2015. License CC-BY-SA-4.0 confers on May 17, 2016.

Further reading

• "Wagner, Thai-style" Bangkok Post (25 August 2016): Somtow Sucharitkul's The Silent Prince as the first of the 10 operas of his dasjati cycle telling the "Ten Lives Of The Buddha".